Theile’s compositions encompass Singspiele, operas, masses, psalm settings, passion oratorios, arias, canzonettas, and sonatas, as well as motets. His sacred opera Adam und Eva was the first work to be performed at the Goosemarket Opera in Hamburg – the first civic opera house in Germany.
He also wrote a number of works on music theory, particularly on counterpoint. He also had an outstanding career as a practitioner and theorist in musical pedagogy. Theile taught Johann Mattheson, Johann Adolph Hasse. Dietrich Buxtehude was his most important pupil.